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Federal Whistleblower Attorneys

Experienced Lawyers Representing Whistleblowers Throughout the United States

The Whistleblower Law Firm offers skilled representation in qui tam lawsuits and similar claims brought by workers nationwide. Our attorneys are veteran litigators with more than 200 years of combined experience. We provide aggressive and dedicated representation to individuals who are prepared to report and take legal action against corporate misconduct or fraud. Contact our office today to discuss your claim and your rights.

Hold Businesses Accountable for Wrongful Actions

A whistleblower is someone who reports corporate or individual misconduct or fraud against the government. This plays an important role in exposing wrongful acts by businesses and individuals. Both federal and state laws encourage people to come forward and report incidents of misconduct. These statutes include:

False Claims Act (FCA), which makes it unlawful to make false claims or statements against the government for payment. The FCA includes a qui tam provision, which gives individuals the right to act on the government’s behalf in responding to a violation of its rules. A person who witnesses Medicare and Medicaid fraud, for example, can bring a qui tam claim under the FCA.

Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, which creates incentives for individuals to report cases of tax evasion and fraud to the Internal Revenue Service. The alleged violation must exceed $2 million.

Dodd-Frank Act, which protects individuals who report violations of the securities law or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

These laws and their counterparts at the state level provide financial incentives and legal protections to whistleblowers. In many cases, an individual can receive anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of the monetary amount recovered by the government. A number of factors will contribute to how much compensation a claimant will receive, including the gravity of the violation and the time it took to report it.

Legal Protections

In many cases, a whistleblower is an employee of a company that is engaging in corporate misconduct. Many people in this position are understandably concerned about possible retaliatory actions by their employers. Most whistleblower provisions provide job protection to those who report unlawful conduct. Under the FCA, for example, an employer cannot demote, terminate, or otherwise engage in retaliatory behavior against an employee who reports fraudulent activity. People employed by the federal government are also protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act from retaliatory actions by the agencies for which they work.

Nevertheless, an employer may choose to retaliate despite the protections afforded under these rules. When this happens, an employee may have the right to a remedy for this unlawful conduct. Possible compensation includes double back pay, special damages for any discriminatory treatment, and legal fees. The statute of limitations for initiating an action against an employer will depend on the relevant state and federal laws, but in some cases it can be as short as 30 days.

Certain rules also protect a whistleblower’s identity. If someone reports incidents of securities fraud to the SEC, for example, his or her identity is protected under the Dodd-Frank Act. The agency cannot disclose information about the reporting individual that could reveal who he or she is unless and until this is required. Our attorneys can discuss what protections you have and can act quickly if there are any retaliatory actions by your employer.

Reporting Corporate Fraud or Misconduct

Filing a whistleblower or qui tam action is a complex process that involves investigating the claim and preparing the necessary documents to show fraud or wrongdoing. Once a file is prepared, the claim and supporting materials need to be filed with the Department of Justice, IRS, or other appropriate government agency, which will then determine whether or not to proceed. In qui tam actions, the government has 60 days to investigate the situation and decide whether or not to intervene. The claimant may proceed if the government decides not to intervene, although it has the right to step in later.

Qui Tam Attorneys Protecting Your Rights Nationwide

We represent individuals nationwide who have witnessed or learned of business wrongdoing. Our whistleblower lawyers can advise you on your rights and the legal protections available to you for exposing corporate or individual fraud or misconduct. We have the experience, resources, and investigative capabilities to take on businesses that have engaged in unlawful actions. Our attorneys serve clients throughout the U.S., including in New York, Florida, and California. Call us today at (800) 982-1904 or contact us to set up a confidential consultation.